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The structure of focused, radially polarized fields.
Optics Express
|June 12, 2009
Summary
This study reveals how phase singularities in radially polarized electromagnetic fields can be created or destroyed by adjusting lens aperture and beam width. The electric polarization handedness in the focal plane alternates with radial distance.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Electromagnetism
- Mathematical Physics
Background:
- Radially polarized electromagnetic fields are crucial in advanced optical applications.
- Understanding their focal structures, including phase singularities, is essential for precise light manipulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the detailed structure of strongly focused, radially polarized electromagnetic fields.
- To demonstrate the existence of phase singularities in the electric field components.
- To investigate mechanisms for controlling these phase singularities and analyze polarization properties.
Main Methods:
- Detailed theoretical analysis of electromagnetic field propagation and focusing.
- Investigation of the impact of optical system parameters (aperture angle, beam width) on focal field structure.
- Examination of electric polarization handedness and energy density contributions in the focal plane.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the existence of phase singularities in both components of the electric field.
- Identified two mechanisms for creating or annihilating phase singularities: altering lens aperture angle and beam width.
- Showed that electric polarization handedness in the focal plane is an alternating function of radial distance.
Conclusions:
- Phase singularities in focused radially polarized fields are controllable through specific optical parameters.
- The focal plane exhibits complex polarization behavior, with alternating handedness.
- Detailed analysis provides insights into the energy distribution within these fields.
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